I Tested This Buzzy Online Eyewear Retailer That Makes Designer-Looking Glasses for Less
Kleigh Balugo
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Thanks to the internet, getting a new pair of glasses no longer means having to spend all day at the optometrist’s office. Although there are tons of online retailers, Warby Parker is by far one of the most reputable names. Beyond being a convenient way to try on and buy glasses, Warby Parker makes stylish glasses at a reasonable price point. As someone who’s constantly misplacing glasses and getting tired of my old pairs, I was curious to see if Warby Parker was as good as everyone says it is—and spoiler alert, I wasn’t disappointed.
While I’ve been a serial contact lens wearer since I was a teenager, even I can’t go without a cute pair of glasses. Over the years, I’ve collected a fair share of pairs from different places. When I was younger, I would cringe at the prices of the designer glasses at the optometrist’s office—and although times have changed since then, finding trendy glasses that don’t cost an arm and a leg has always been met with some difficulty. And because I’ve had a few bad experiences purchasing glasses in the past, I was willing to try just about anything to avoid another stressful situation.
What is Warby Parker?
Warby Parker is an eyewear company specializing in affordable prescription glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses. Beyond being a retailer, Warby Parker can also assist with everything from updating your prescription to scheduling an eye exam. Not to mention, the company distributes a pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair purchased.
How does Warby Parker work?
Although Warby Parker has tons of physical stores nationwide, you’re also able to try and buy glasses from the comfort of your own home. (With free shipping!) Unlike the sometimes anxiety-inducing optometrist’s office, Warby Parker allows you to try up to five pairs for free before you decide which to purchase. Simply pick the pairs you want to try, test them for five days, and send back the ones you pass on.
No matter what you need, chances are Warby Parker can help you out. If you have an unexpired prescription, you can purchase glasses right away. But, if you need an eye exam or to renew your existing prescription, Warby can handle that too—whether you require an IRL visit or prefer to utilize its online services.
If you have trouble with your glasses after they arrive, Warby Parker offers a 30-day free exchange or return policy. Plus, the retailer will even replace scratched lenses, “At Warby Parker, all of our lenses come with a scratch-resistant coating. If your lenses become scratched within six months of your glasses purchase, we’ll replace the whole kit and caboodle for free—and if it’s been longer than that, you may still be eligible for a lens replacement.”
Does Warby Parker take insurance?
Warby Parker takes insurance, along with FSA and HSA. If your insurance is approved, it can cover glasses, contacts, and in-person eye exams. Although your eligibility depends on your carrier and other factors like location, you can apply for reimbursement after checkout if necessary. Be sure to verify your eligibility on Warby Parker’s website so you can plan accordingly.
An Editor’s Warby Parker Review
Colorways: Saddle Tortoise
Material: Hand-polished cellulose acetate
Width: Wide 141 mm
Prescription Types: Single-vision ($95), Progressives ($295), Readers ($95), Non-prescription ($95)
Lens Types: Classic (Free), Blue-light filtering (+$50), Anti-fatigue (+$100), Light-responsive (+$100)
Lens Material: Polycarbonate (Free), 1.67 high-index (+$50)
Since my prescription has pretty much stayed the same since high school, ordering online with Warby Parker seemed like the easiest option for me. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was able to update my expired prescription (it only took a couple of hours after I completed the online vision test), and from there I had a great time browsing the site. Although some people prefer to try on glasses in person, I felt more than comfortable with the virtual try-on feature on the app. After I picked out two pairs and placed the order, I received my prescription glasses in no time.
One thing Warby Parker really succeeds at is convenience. The entire process of updating my prescription to receiving my glasses took just around two weeks—which is nothing, considering I’ve waited months for glasses from the optometrist’s office. When the glasses arrived, they looked just as good IRL as they did on the website. I picked the oversized Tatiana glasses and the Miu Miu-esque tortoise shell Doherty glasses. Although styles cycle in and out frequently (sadly, only one of the pairs I got is still available), it felt good knowing that my affordable lenses were trendy enough to match my outfits—without sacrificing longevity or quality.
The glasses themselves are incredibly durable and high quality. I went for the classic lenses and ran into no issues, but they also offer blue light and light-responsive ones. In addition to the glasses looking good, I had no problem wearing them all day. Now that I know how easy the process is and how well the glasses stand up to pricey designer brands, I’ve officially sworn off buying glasses any other way.
Colorways: Biscotti Tortoise, Shoreline
Material: Hand-polished cellulose acetate
Width: Medium 133mm
Prescription Types: Single-vision ($95), Progressives ($295), Readers ($95), Non-prescription ($95)
Lens Types: Classic (Free), Blue-light filtering (+$50), Anti-fatigue (+$100), Light-responsive (+$100)
Lens Material: Polycarbonate (Free), 1.67 high-index (+$50)
